Depaul Ireland have announced that they will be opening a new emergency night service in Dublin.

The service will open this December, on Little Britain Street, for those who are sleeping rough in the city over the festive season.

The incredible service will provide:

• 40 beds for single men
• 12 beds for single women
• Five beds for couples
• And five 'high dependency' beds for men and women with high support needs

The service will run from 6.30pm every day in December, and will accept referrals from the Central Placement Service a service which is managed by Dublin City Council’s Homeless Services Section.

According to Breaking News, it will, however, be closed between 10am - 6.30pm. Those using the facilities will have access to a light meal in the evenings, breakfast in the mornings, showers and limited laundry facilities.

Health supports will also be provided at the hostel, with trained volunteers delivering social and recreational activities including photography, music and art. 

The CEO of Depaul, Ms Kerry Anthony said about the service:

The Rough Sleeper Count released by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive shows that there were 142 people sleeping rough on one night in Dublin, plus another 77 people using the Merchants Quay Night Café.

The number of people sleeping rough in Dublin has increased by an alarming 56% since last winter, when there were 91 people on the streets. This is by any metric a tragic situation and these beds are a vital emergency response.

 We urgently need new housing to be brought on board in order to achieve this goal. We urge the Government to accelerate its efforts to stimulate the provision of social and affordable housing in Ireland as, without bricks and mortar, it will be impossible to lessen the number of people coming through our doors.

READ NEXT: Conor McGregor Granted Professional Boxing Licence By The State Of California